Helma Elizabeth Rump

An Immeasurable loss took place when Helma Rump left this world at 102 years old on April 3, 2023. Helma was born in Bremen, Germany on January 5, 1921. She was 12 years old when Hitler came to power and 24 when that regime ended. She was a weaver in Bremen. In 1954 at the age of 33 she moved with her mother to Canada where they both worked as domestics. Three years later they moved to New York City. There she worked as a medical assistant and x-ray technician. In 1974 her mother was attacked in Central Park. A friend encouraged them to move to Visalia. Her mother flew here, then Helma came out on the train carrying a bird, a turtle and a dog. She worked as an x-ray technician and also worked for the Tulare County Department of Education. She published a novel, painted and corresponded with friends in Canada and in Germany. In 1986 she got her AA degree in Social Sciences at COS. In 1991 at 70 years of age she helped found the Prevent Unwanted Pet Population Organization (PUPP) which eventually became the Valley Oak SPCA. This is how most of us know her. No one rivaled her love for cats. She was an advocate for low cost spay/neuter and vaccination programs. She was often directly involved with negotiations with animal clinics in the valley in support of these programs. After she retired she continued to be active in volunteering and fostering to help find homes for the valley's cats. She worked at Petsmart in the cat adoption area and also at local animal adoptions. There are no words to do this woman justice. She worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the animals. She was an inspiration and a valued friend to the people she knew and worked with. She would as us to continue her mission. She left her mission in capable hands. She will be dearly missed. We would like to thank Kaweah Delta Hospice and the friends who stayed with her 24 hours a day for the last 3 months of her life. There will be a celebration of her life at a later date. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Helma Elizabeth Rump

January 5, 1921 - April 3, 2023